Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Hanna Backs South Belfast Schools' Call for Action on Smartphone Use Among Children
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the South Belfast Primary Partnership's joint letter to parents on rising smartphone use among children, ahead of a 2nd June public event at St Bernard's Primary School. She says there is mounting evidence of harms and calls for serious, informed discussion…
Education Issue: South Belfast Primary Partnership letter on children's smartphone use Original release: Hanna Backs South Belfast Schools' Call for Action on Smartphone Use Among Children (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: “We are nearing 100,000 attacks on healthcare staff”
SDLP MLA for South Down Colin McGrath says a written Assembly answer shows nearly 90,000 physical attacks on healthcare staff over the last decade, calling this a stain on society. He will press the Health and Justice Ministers for a coordinated strategy on prevention, protection and accountability.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Written Assembly answer on physical attacks against healthcare staff Original release: McGrath: “We are nearing 100,000 attacks on healthcare staff” (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney calls on DUP to end opposition to additional funding for north-south bodies
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the DUP's blocking of extra Irish government funding for north-south bodies is indefensible, after the Assembly backed a Sinn Féin motion urging the party to drop its opposition within the Executive.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly motion urging DUP to end opposition to north-south funding Original release: Kearney calls on DUP to end opposition to additional funding for north-south bodies (opens in a new tab)
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Dental care is an essential form of healthcare and shouldn’t be considered luxury, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to draft a fresh oral health plan and address the dentistry funding shortfall, arguing dental care is essential rather than a luxury and warning that the situation will deteriorate without action.
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Minority of bad faith actors determined to ensure sectarian division remains, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister says a small group of people are working to keep sectarian division alive in North Belfast after a week of sectarian-motivated attacks on Annalee Street and Alloa Street. She says she is working with the PSNI and local agencies to help residents feel safe and urges…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Sectarian-motivated attacks on Annalee Street and Alloa Street, North Belfast Original release: Minority of bad faith actors determined to ensure sectarian division remains, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Chairman expresses solidarity with Liverpool following horrific incident
TUV Party Chairman and Cusher Councillor Keith Ratcliffe expresses shock and sorrow at the violence and tragedy in Liverpool after a Premier League celebration, sending thoughts and prayers to victims and their families and standing in solidarity with the city.
Justice and policing Issue: Liverpool Premier League celebration violence and tragedy, 26 May 2025 Original release: TUV Chairman expresses solidarity with Liverpool following horrific incident (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin calls for Assembly debate on Israeli violations of International Law
Sinn Féin says it has requested a Matter of the Day debate in the Assembly on Tuesday on what it calls systematic breaches of international law by the Israeli government. Pat Sheehan, MLA for West Belfast, argues attention should focus on Gaza rather than the charging of Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó…
International affairs Justice and policing Issue: Assembly Matter of the Day request on Israeli violations of international law Original release: Sinn Féin calls for Assembly debate on Israeli violations of International Law (opens in a new tab)
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Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the Nutrient Action Programme proposals – cutting the P balance to 8 kg/ha from 2029 and mandating Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment by 2030 – are unworkable, could force farmers out of business and ignore local conditions, and urges the Minister to listen and
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions
DUP North Down MLA Peter Martin expresses serious concern at EU proposals that could reclassify common anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments, such as those for dandruff, athlete's foot and cold sores, as prescription-only. He says this would add strain to GP services and calls for certainty on…
Health International affairs Issue: EU proposals to reclassify anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments as prescription-only Original release: Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan criticises arrest of prominent Palestinian solidarity activist
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan condemns the PSNI's arrest of campaigner Sue Pentel in central Belfast, saying highlighting Israel's actions in Gaza is not a crime. He says the party will raise concerns directly with the police.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Arrest of Sue Pentel in Belfast city centre Original release: Sheehan criticises arrest of prominent Palestinian solidarity activist (opens in a new tab)
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Greenisland Church of the Holy Name bouncing back after fire
TUV Carrickfergus councillor David Clarke welcomes the new opening of the Church Parish Community Shop on Station Road, Greenisland, after last year’s fire, urges residents to shop locally and looks forward to the church and hall reconstruction.
Other Issue: Reopening of Greenisland Church Parish Community Shop Original release: Greenisland Church of the Holy Name bouncing back after fire (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston writes to the Equality Commission challenging it to produce evidence that Irish language signage is a neutral act, citing LucidTalk and Analogical Research polling on unionist reaction. He asks the Commission to reassess its position, consider a 'chill factor' effect on…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance welcomes progress on Assembly Rooms purchase by BCC
Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long welcomes committee discussions on Belfast City Council's proposed purchase of the listed Assembly Rooms building, deferred to next week's Strategic Policy and Research Committee. He calls for the council to restore the 1769 building and says its…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council Assembly Rooms acquisition committee discussion Original release: Alliance welcomes progress on Assembly Rooms purchase by BCC (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes new measures to tackle Broadway anti-social behaviour
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey says he convened a multi-agency meeting on anti-social behaviour in Broadway, Belfast, and welcomes measures including Department of Justice funding for CCTV cameras, youth outreach and alley gates.
Justice and policing Issue: Broadway anti-social behaviour multi-agency meeting and CCTV funding Original release: Maskey welcomes new measures to tackle Broadway anti-social behaviour (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes confirmation from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt that a public consultation on student nursing and midwifery bursaries will begin in the coming months. He says the review will assess whether current bursary provision suits students now.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms consultation on student nursing bursaries Original release: Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries (opens in a new tab)
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Cruel, Punishing Budget Won’t Deliver for Working Class People
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the 2025/26 Budget, which he voted against, is another year of crisis management, citing homelessness, toxic algae in Lough Neagh and health waiting lists. He calls for mitigations to Westminster social security cuts and the two-child limit and for…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland 2025/26 Budget vote Original release: Cruel, Punishing Budget Won’t Deliver for Working Class People (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy Review a Sham Designed to Cement the Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister MP calls the Murphy Review of the Protocol a sham as the party publishes its 46-page response, arguing its terms are biased and that requiring cross-community support for any change gives nationalists a veto.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Murphy Review of the Protocol terms and TUV response Original release: Murphy Review a Sham Designed to Cement the Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Buck stops with Justice Minister – Chambers
UUP MLA Alan Chambers, a North Down Policing Board member, says PSNI officer numbers (around 6200, with 150 part-time reservists) remain well below the Patten recommendations. He cites the Police Federation chair's warnings on stress and sick leave, and calls on Justice Minister Naomi Long to…
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Police Federation annual conference warnings on PSNI workforce levels Original release: Buck stops with Justice Minister – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Minister fails to put victims first with consultation on early guilty pleas – Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says the Department of Justice’s early guilty plea consultation favours perpetrators, allowing significant sentence cuts for serious crimes, and calls for reforms that limit reductions to custodial time and put victims first.
Justice and policing Issue: Department of Justice early guilty plea consultation Original release: Minister fails to put victims first with consultation on early guilty pleas – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the tenth anniversary of the Irish marriage equality referendum, calling it a vote for hope, equality and inclusion, and says transphobia and homophobia must be challenged.
Disability and equality Original release: Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)